Origin/Velocity

[ByeByePoly]

First hour on origin 16/velocity 16 @55/52 ... ball machine ... 350-400 balls

- arm friendly ... my arm knows by now on first hit (usually). Very arm friendly, I don't expect forearm tightness like with fb hdx or hdx/v.

- feel ... actually very good. I knew already I really liked fb Origin, and Origin in the mains keeps the great feel. Instead of the full mute of Velocity you get a nice "thuddy" feedback. Not as "thuddy" as hdx/v ... between fb V and HDX/V.

- spin ... I found O/V got to about fb V spin level, which is saying something because fb Origin is very little spin for me. I would put fb V, O/V, HDX/V and fb HDX in the same 2/3ish poly spin ... maybe give HDX a little edge on spin.

- tension ... came of stringer Wednesday 52#, now after 1 hr on ball machine, 49#

- seems to more notching for 1 hour than typical for me ... will watch.

- power ... really surprised 55/52 tamed Origin. FB Origin @55 was a rocket launcher for me before. I would have to say 55/52 was about right. I'm playing with pretty much new Pro Penn Marathon balls in the ball machine, so pretty close to new ball match conditions. Perhaps I would bump a match racquet to 57/52 ... but really ... good to go at 55/52.

- straight strings ... I don't think so. They didn't move much, but they are fresh right off the stringer I can see they want to hang out of place.

For me, the followed kept straight strings:
- fb V @55 when they broke at 30 hours
- fb hdx @55 at 10 hours
- hdx/v 55/52 at 4 hours ... but no signs of movement at all

Strings have moved:
- fb V @52
- O/V 55/52 ??? we will see, but expect movement

My thinking with multis at this point is I need mid-tension on crosses to keep mains straighter. Perhaps a trade off with spin, don't know.

So my initial impression of O/V is really good. Nice sounding thud, feels really good on goundstrokes. Good touch on drop shots ... better than fb V @55 by a lot, better than fb V @52 ... but not a lot. I hit a few volleys ... felt good on full volleys, maybe not great on touch (dropper volleys). Will have to watch that as I go along. FB Origin was a good a string for my 1hbh slice as I have hit. O/V is very close ... great for the slice.

Using my arm (post TE and obviously still sensitive to poly) as a guide, fb V or O/V is very arm friendly, and HDX made arm sore/tight forearm. I would put HDX in the Cream category ... if you have had no previous arm trouble, not likely HDX or Cream would ever be an issue for you.

Will update after hits if anything changes.

 

[markwillplay]

hey byby, I was playing full crea and actually had a twinge or two I did not like. Went back to full velocity and no problem. Still, I think cream gave me more spin when I wanted it with this 18 20 stick. I keep reading that if you use a hybrid that you should put velocity in the mains and cream in the crosses. Did you do that? Not hijacking your thread but I figured I could get a quicxk answer from you. Thanks, M

 

[ByeByePoly]

hey byby, I was playing full crea and actually had a twinge or two I did not like. Went back to full velocity and no problem. Still, I think cream gave me more spin when I wanted it with this 18 20 stick. I keep reading that if you use a hybrid that you should put velocity in the mains and cream in the crosses. Did you do that? Not hijacking your thread but I figured I could get a quicxk answer from you. Thanks, M

Hijack away ... yes, tried fb cream, v/cream and tonic/cream. It was over almost a year ... this how I would rate the spin:

10 fb rpm
9 tonic/cream
8 velocity/cream
7 fb cream
7 fb velocity

Something like that. I never played rpm in my v1 pros, going off memory from earlier racquets.

I actually saw some very good dip with v/cream, and it had a nice feel at impact. I just get arm/elbow warnings from any poly, even cream hidden behind frickin gut. I'm done ... have given up.

If haven't read @g4driver posts on cream/hdx and cream/velocity, you might do a search on his posts. He strings a lot of racquets, and is very high on cream/hdx and cream/v. Since you have some arm issues like me, maybe cream/v keeps it arm safe for you.

My guess is I end up back with fb velocity. Maybe try 54/52 instead of fb 52 and see if I keep the mains straight. fb v @55 was just lacking in touch (really great on control). The origin/v is a nice feel, but not sure it will be enough difference for the $22.

Edit: isn't velocity amazing for sore arms ... TE whisperer.

 

[g4driver]

What's up @ByeByePoly ?

After snapping the Cream / HDX Tour twice I went back to my tried and true Cyclone Tour 1.30mm.

I remember why I started the Cream / HDX Tour to start with. It was a poly / poly play test of FireWire 1.30mm / Head Hawk 1.25mm. That setup gave my elbow a reason to go softer and I was pleasantly surprised at how soft Cream / HDX Tour or Cream / Velocity actually was.

Using the setup of multi / poly snaps much quicker than the poly/ multi and that only last around 15 to 20 hours.

Cyclone Tour 1.30mm has been my go to string for 4+ years now and it lasts me a month before snapping . The fact I can hit with three or four times a week without any pain and can take the 55 to 60 inches of rain we get annually makes it an easy choice. The fact is costs me less than $7 a frame is a bonus.

 

[ByeByePoly]

What's up @ByeByePoly ?

After snapping the Cream / HDX Tour twice I went back to my tried and true Cyclone Tour 1.30mm.

I remember why I started the Cream / HDX Tour to start with. It was a poly / poly play test of FireWire 1.30mm / Head Hawk 1.25mm. That setup gave my elbow a reason to go softer and I was pleasantly surprised at how soft Cream / HDX Tour or Cream / Velocity actually was.

Using the setup of multi / poly snaps much quicker than the poly/ multi and that only last around 15 to 20 hours.

Cyclone Tour 1.30mm has been my go to string for 4+ years now and it lasts me a month before snapping . The fact I can hit with three or four times a week without any pain and can take the 55 to 60 inches of rain we get annually makes it an easy choice. The fact is costs me less than $7 a frame is a bonus.

lol ... we are having commitment issues, and stringers are the worse.

 

[g4driver]

lol ... we are having commitment issues, and stringers are the worse. [emoji41]

Cyclone Tour never hurts me[emoji6]. I just needed a break from poly after the playtest. I have switched one 4.5 guy to Cream / PPC 1.35 mm, and have ordered more natural Velocity to replace the PPC that I am using up quickly.

I prefer to string the natural Velocity over the black Velocity as it is easier for me to weave due to my eyes starting to go south.

 

[esgee48]

lol ... we are having commitment issues, and stringers are the worse.

Your stringer should just tell you to stay with Velocity. Just because he is enabling your scratching of the itch, means he is not doing his job. "No more string trials for you, BBP! You waste my time and create a lot of confusion in my poor mind with all these strings.You will use Velocity until the day Head no longer makes it. At that time, we will go visit the Wizard in Oz."

 

[ByeByePoly]

Your stringer should just tell you to stay with Velocity. Just because he is enabling your scratching of the itch, means he is not doing his job. "No more string trials for you, BBP! You waste my time and create a lot of confusion in my poor mind with all these strings.You will use Velocity until the day Head no longer makes it. At that time, we will go visit the Wizard in Oz."

I know one thing for sure ... I never want to hear all the thoughts about me in my stringers head. The thoughts that are spoken after filtering and editing are scary/blunt enough.

You should play a fb of velocity 16g natural. Call it research. That would be the end of your syn gut days.

 

[esgee48]

Not gonna happen in this lifetime, yours or mine! Not stiff enough unless I up the tension. My installed POSG 16 is in the 180-190 stiffness area. I do periodically trial new strings, but always come back because I will break 16 ga multis before I break the POSG. Polys die on me too soon. I can play POSG for 12-16 hours before breaking them. Poly will be dead by hour 8. Remember that I play a generally classical game and spin is not one of my priorities. Placement via a fairly flat shot is. I can do it, but prefer not to because my friends will hammer the ball if it sits up. Since I also use a club [340 grams, 340 SW], just hitting with enough spin is all I really need.

 

[KluddKalle]

@ByeByePoly oh so you took the plunge before I did! Will be interesting to see how this turns out and how it holds up against fb V.
I still have a couple of sets of origin that I will use for this when the time is right.

 

[ByeByePoly]

@ByeByePoly oh so you took the plunge before I did! Will be interesting to see how this turns out and how it holds up against fb V.
I still have a couple of sets of origin that I will use for this when the time is right.

I gave you the chance to be the trail blazer ... procrastinate much? Actually we have to give this one to @Dartagnan64 ... he has been singing it's praises for a long time.

Arm feels great this morning ... check off non-poly comfortable.

It had the great feel of origin ... check.

Added some feel/touch to velocity, reduced the mute, kept control and comfort .. check check check.

Added spin to no-spin V ... check ... except I didn't see as much as Dartagnan did. Brought up to about fb V level for me in my tight 16 x 19.


Here is a question for you since you played a lot of hours with both. What are your thiughts on o/v vs v/o?

 

[ByeByePoly]

Not gonna happen in this lifetime, yours or mine! Not stiff enough unless I up the tension. My installed POSG 16 is in the 180-190 stiffness area. I do periodically trial new strings, but always come back because I will break 16 ga multis before I break the POSG. Polys die on me too soon. I can play POSG for 12-16 hours before breaking them. Poly will be dead by hour 8. Remember that I play a generally classical game and spin is not one of my priorities. Placement via a fairly flat shot is. I can do it, but prefer not to because my friends will hammer the ball if it sits up. Since I also use a club [340 grams, 340 SW], just hitting with enough spin is all I really need.

Sounds like I would enjoy hitting with you. I am lucky to have a good group of 50-61 year olds playing top 4.0 singles. They know how to construct points, get by with functional BHs, and win. All use topspin on FH as they need it, but also hit a lot of flattish shots. But the friend I really like to hit with just moved to 4 0 last year. He hits a flat ball, and his traditional strokes look better than all of us. I love hitting against flat balls with some pace.

How old are you? Hopefully way younger than me.

Question: Is your preference for a stiffer string for feel or control? We all like the feel we like, no changing that. But if control is the main factor, no way you won't have control with fb v 16g @mid-tension unless you have one of those giant fly swatter racquets. I could hit full out flat all day long with fb v 16 @55. @52 3/4 flat stays in ... full out (not really my thing) ts assist.

 

[am1899]

I know one thing for sure ... I never want to hear all the thoughts about me in my stringers head. The thoughts that are spoken after filtering and editing are scary/blunt enough.

“Oh great. This guy again.”

“For the love of God. Just pick a string and be done with it.”

“You stink at Tennis. Why are you worried about finding the perfect string - so you can perfectly suck? I got a better idea. Find a new sport.”

As a stringer, admittedly, these are all things that I have thought to myself at one time or another.

Edit: And before you judge me, show me a stringer who hasn’t entertained thoughts like this at least once - and I’ll show you either:

1. Someone who hasn’t strung for very long
2. A liar

 

[KluddKalle]

“For the love of God. Just pick a string and be done with it.”

@ByeByePoly this is what goes on inside both your stringers head and your own, right? lol

 

[am1899]

Oh shoot. You said you didn’t want to know. Oops! Well, cat’s out of the bag now.

 

[KluddKalle]

I gave you the chance to be the trail blazer ... procrastinate much? Actually we have to give this one to @Dartagnan64 ... he has been singing it's praises for a long time.

Arm feels great this morning ... check off non-poly comfortable.

It had the great feel of origin ... check.

Added some feel/touch to velocity, reduced the mute, kept control and comfort .. check check check.

Added spin to no-spin V ... check ... except I didn't see as much as Dartagnan did. Brought up to about fb V level for me in my tight 16 x 19.


Here is a question for you since you played a lot of hours with both. What are your thiughts on o/v vs v/o?

Don’t know actually if I would put O in the mains or crosses. Instinctively I’m thinking O in mains. But I’m really unsure and would definitely need recommendation. What I would want out of hybriding these strings is a bit more power and feel from O and the spin and control from V.

 

[esgee48]

For BBP:
I use POSG for feel. It is crisp. I do not like muted strings because I can't really tell based on sound where the ball is slightly off center or struck true. I am also approaching 70. Playing mainly doubles when playing with the big boys. Don't have to cover as much court which is not an issue cuz the legs are still there. It's the stamina {I know, That's what she said.]
For am1899:
Those are the thoughts that go thru my head when someone new asks me to string their frame. Or they give me their string and can't tell me what tension they want without a lot of probing on my part. "Really? You want Cyclone Tour at 58# in a Radical MP? Well, OK, I guess."
Most of my clients have settled on tension, string and frame. BUT I also have the same thoughts for a guy that has been trying new string setups for the last 8-12 years. He cycles/switches between NG-multi-SG in Prince, Head, Wilson frames from low to mid tension. I told him at least 5 years ago to stay with one frame model and one string set up. He says he likes to experiment to find the Holy Grail of strings, tension and frame. I say "OK...."

 

[ByeByePoly]

“Oh great. This guy again.”

“For the love of God. Just pick a string and be done with it.”

“You stink at Tennis. Why are you worried about finding the perfect string - so you can perfectly suck? I got a better idea. Find a new sport.”

As a stringer, admittedly, these are all things that I have thought to myself at one time or another.

Edit: And before you judge me, show me a stringer who hasn’t entertained thoughts like this at least once - and I’ll show you either:

1. Someone who hasn’t strung for very long
2. A liar

Awesome ... but we have our own secret thoughts:

- if dude treats customers like this, poor wifey
- never seen a guy with this much gossip
- if I relied on your string inventory I would be a mushroom ... in the dark being fed your bs
- how does this guy not get carpal tunnel
- how does stringing racquets give this guy bartender wisdom, but not the bedside manner
- good thing this dude works alone

I kid, actually consider stringer a beloved part of the tennis family.

 

[ByeByePoly]

@ByeByePoly this is what goes on inside both your stringers head and your own, right? lol

You have to ask yourself ... do you really want to see what's in my mind. I know I don't, I have a lot of it walled off.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Don’t know actually if I would put O in the mains or crosses. Instinctively I’m thinking O in mains. But I’m really unsure and would definitely need recommendation. What I would want out of hybriding these strings is a bit more power and feel from O and the spin and control from V.

Power and feel: o/v
Control and spin: v/oi

Guessing the v/o is more spin than o/v ... don't play me into cutting out hdx/v and trying v/o. Actually might try v/o ... but that one baffles me on what tension. I figured o would be the more durable main, but not sure since notching seemed quick after first hit.

That said, I always said give me origin feel, but v spin. Pretty much did. Maybe a slight loss in control from fb v @52, but need more than one hit to decide.

 

[letstakeourshirtsoff]

I'm in the velocity hybrid camp myself, using it in the mains with WC silverstring crosses. nice spin, and the power level actually surprised me (playing a 350SW K90 strung at 52/48).

glad you found a velocity hybrid that works for you

 

[ByeByePoly]

For BBP:
I use POSG for feel. It is crisp. I do not like muted strings because I can't really tell based on sound where the ball is slightly off center or struck true. I am also approaching 70. Playing mainly doubles when playing with the big boys. Don't have to cover as much court which is not an issue cuz the legs are still there. It's the stamina {I know, That's what she said.]
For am1899:
Those are the thoughts that go thru my head when someone new asks me to string their frame. Or they give me their string and can't tell me what tension they want without a lot of probing on my part. "Really? You want Cyclone Tour at 58# in a Radical MP? Well, OK, I guess."
Most of my clients have settled on tension, string and frame. BUT I also have the same thoughts for a guy that has been trying new string setups for the last 8-12 years. He cycles/switches between NG-multi-SG in Prince, Head, Wilson frames from low to mid tension. I told him at least 5 years ago to stay with one frame model and one string set up. He says he likes to experiment to find the Holy Grail of strings, tension and frame. I say "OK...."

Yep ... can't change feel preferences. I'm obviously not that feel sensitive ... rpm blast for 5 years. But now I have got a taste of v1 pro with comfy strings ... best that poly players never hit my racquet. My ultra/4g buddy hit it, and the look on his face was priceless.

My club doubles league years were guys from 45-65. I was one of the younger ones. Our oldest is now 80 ... and still playing with two replaced knees, and I think shoulder surgery. He played both tennis and basketball in college, was still a great 4.5 doubles at age 65 (tall with reach ... didn't miss at net). Another friend just turned 67 and replaced 2nd knee 3-4 months ago. Already running on the court ... little guy played college baseball. That said, the majority of that group gave up tennis. Backs and knees.

 

[ByeByePoly]

I'm in the velocity hybrid camp myself, using it in the mains with WC silverstring crosses. nice spin, and the power level actually surprised me (playing a 350SW K90 strung at 52/48).

glad you found a velocity hybrid that works for you

Difficult with no co-poly. I figured since v/cream was so good, different co-poly crosses would be even more spin.

"power level actually surprised me"

More power or less?

 

[letstakeourshirtsoff]

Difficult with no co-poly. I figured since v/cream was so good, different co-poly crosses would be even more spin.

"power level actually surprised me"

More power or less?

more. most people on here rated the velocity to be rather low powered for a multi, and silverstring though rather powerful for a poly is still a poly so I thought I'd have to work more to get some heavy balls.

 

[am1899]

Awesome ... but we have our own secret thoughts:

- if dude treats customers like this, poor wifey
- never seen a guy with this much gossip
- if I relied on your string inventory I would be a mushroom ... in the dark being fed your bs
- how does this guy not get carpal tunnel
- how does stringing racquets give this guy bartender wisdom, but not the bedside manner
- good thing this dude works alone

I kid, actually consider stringer a beloved part of the tennis family.

About half way of what I expected in response.

By the by - I suspect those are things that you’d be thinking to yourself, but not saying out loud. Dumbest thing a potential customer said out loud to me? “Gee, that’s a lot of racquets you have to string there. I hope you don’t get all strung out.” Outwardly, I took it in stride, and laughed it off. Inwardly, “WHAT AN IDIOT.”

 

[ByeByePoly]

About half way of what I expected in response.

By the by - I suspect those are things that you’d be thinking to yourself, but not saying out loud. Dumbest thing a potential customer said out loud to me? “Gee, that’s a lot of racquets you have to string there. I hope you don’t get all strung out.” Outwardly, I took it in stride, and laughed it off. Inwardly, “WHAT AN IDIOT.”

I have gone to same stringer for years, consider him a friend. He was a competitive tennis player, but about 20 years my junior. The bs between us is a form of jousting. Ironically, the thing he gives me the most cr@p about is spending time here. Greg ... you reading this. I like you man ... don't sabotage my stick.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Don’t know actually if I would put O in the mains or crosses. Instinctively I’m thinking O in mains. But I’m really unsure and would definitely need recommendation. What I would want out of hybriding these strings is a bit more power and feel from O and the spin and control from V.

Hit another 1.5 hours on ball machine with o/v. I know there is no break in for v, and didn't remember any for o ... but felt even better today. A very satisfying comfortable thud with control. I was getting the ball to dip pretty good, although did hit some fliers with 2hbh. I think you should start with o/v ... you already had enough control with fb o.

 

[markwillplay]

I have strung my tour with v/c at 58/55. Trust me, my numbers are not so accurate. Every time I have my rackets strong by someone with a more modern stringer, they feel like they are much tighter. I think maybe my drop weight is not accurate or something but anyway I’m guessing it is closer to something like 53/50. The velocity is the black one. I have been using the natural and the black seemed to string just as soft. I really hope this combination works because as much as I like velocity on its own, I really felt I could do anything with the ball with the full bit of cream.

 

[ByeByePoly]

I have strung my tour with v/c at 58/55. Trust me, my numbers are not so accurate. Every time I have my rackets strong by someone with a more modern stringer, they feel like they are much tighter. I think maybe my drop weight is not accurate or something but anyway I’m guessing it is closer to something like 53/50. The velocity is the black one. I have been using the natural and the black seemed to string just as soft. I really hope this combination works because as much as I like velocity on its own, I really felt I could do anything with the ball with the full bit of cream.

FB Cream would have been my string if it didn't send out the warning signal @6 hours (assuming I got 15+ hours out of it). Center hits with it felt great to me, and fb @50 matched my rhs (or lack of ) perfectly. It would have saved me a lot $ testing strings, because that was pretty early in the string search.

Post back after you hit with it, I am curious how much spin you get out of it in 18 x 20. My 8 mains have to pretty close to 18 x 20 tight.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

About half way of what I expected in response.

By the by - I suspect those are things that you’d be thinking to yourself, but not saying out loud. Dumbest thing a potential customer said out loud to me? “Gee, that’s a lot of racquets you have to string there. I hope you don’t get all strung out.” Outwardly, I took it in stride, and laughed it off. Inwardly, “WHAT AN IDIOT.”

I sense there was a bit of tension in the room...
Perhaps you're a bit highly strung...
Those are the sort of customers you just have to string along...
A guy called me this morning - Easter Sunday - saying that he'd been told I'd string racquets on the spot for anyone any time; I said my gut feeling was that I'd been framed...
Once I gave a customer who was in a hurry back his racquet with only half the frame strung; when I asked him later on how it played he said it was a bit 'hit and miss'...

 

[Dartagnan64]

Is this my chance to say, "I told you so"?

It's a nice string combo. I'm on about my 5th stringing of it. Still Have very little to complain about. About the only problem is on clay the V coating wears fairly quickly and the strings tend to move a lot. Still plays well but I have to do some adjusting between points.

On hardcourt its awesome.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Is this my chance to say, "I told you so"?

It's a nice string combo. I'm on about my 5th stringing of it. Still Have very little to complain about. About the only problem is on clay the V coating wears fairly quickly and the strings tend to move a lot. Still plays well but I have to do some adjusting between points.

On hardcourt its awesome.

Yep ... you called this one early. It brought the origin up to fb v spin, and cut the $22 to $11 per stringing. FB V $25, o/v $31. Best of all, hit 800+ balls in two days and zero arm soreness/tightness. I might actually have got better spin than fb v today, but couldn't do side by side because 2nd racquet isn't currently fb v. Now I'm just hoping I get at least fb v durability. I don't play clay. I forgot to test the kick serve ... next time.

 

[esgee48]

Will BBP name this combo? Or will he let Dartagnan64 do it? I wouldn't mind naming it Barbara [Eden] - a little more full bodied than Mary Ann. BUT I will defer to the 1st users.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I think the other thing is how it settles the launch angle on 16x19 string patterns. Keeps it right where I like it. I found FB velocity launched a little high.

But the arm comfort is superb. I’m not even wearing my elbow brace these days.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Will BBP name this combo? Or will he let Dartagnan64 do it? I wouldn't mind naming it Barbara [Eden] - a little more full bodied than Mary Ann. BUT I will defer to the 1st users.

The Raquel Welch. A plush ride that ages well?

 

[esgee48]

That sounds good to me. You and @ByeByePoly are now officially using the Raquel Welch hybrid. Let see how soon we start hearing about named string combos in the wild.

 

[ByeByePoly]

OK ... someone figure out how to get overgrip made out of this material. If my racquet sees this it is going to get stiffer than it's RA 68. Also ... hate to tell @Dartagnan64 ... but he can forget his low launch angle.

@Traffic has changed string reviews forever.

 

[markwillplay]

The main difference in a full bed a velocity in a full bit of cream to me is the amount of spin and launch angle. In my 18 by 20s, a full bed of cream provided a lot of spin. More than I’m used to getting. I strung two of my rackets up a little bit tighter and I think it was those that got too my elbow eventually. I may of been able to just play through it but I’m paranoid about my elbow. I will say that volleying with the full bed of velocity is much better than volleying with a full bit of cream. I am hoping that this combination might be a nice compromise. Time will tell. I also think I could probably use a full bEd of cream and string it lower, but that might decrease my ability to flatten out and keep it under control.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Also ... hate to tell @Dartagnan64 ... but he can forget his low launch angle.

Different frames maybe. I got higher launches from FB Velocity in my Prince Phantom than the hybrid. We're talking about 16 mm frame width and O-ports so that's a big difference in frame dynamics right there.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Different frames maybe. I got higher launches from FB Velocity in my Prince Phantom than the hybrid. We're talking about 16 mm frame width and O-ports so that's a big difference in frame dynamics right there.

That was a Rachel Welch launch angle dirty joke.

I really never notice launch angle from my racquet except once with tonic/cream 55/50. That launched much higher than the fb v.

 

[ByeByePoly]

@6 hours ... all ball machine ... lots of balls hit. Not all good ones.

Holding tension great:
52 off stringer
49 @ 1 hr
48.5 @ 2.5 hrs
48 @ 3 hrs
48 @ 5 hrs
48 @ 6 hrs

No change in play, really like the feel, strings are straight, spin is still pretty much fb V spin.

My arm has spoken, and it accepts origin, and gives me warning text messages with HDX. I have a hit a ton of balls with o/v ... and now no need to roll arm. I still do out of habit, but I can tell my forearm tightness completely went away. I feel less forgiveness than fb Velocity, but it isn't showing up in my arm.

I hit one hopper of hdx/v yesterday just to check it's spin against o/v. I would still give hdx/v the nod on spin, but it's in the ball park.

Notching is a bit different, and I can't tell what durability is going to be. O/V had some light-medium notches after the first hour. The kind where it's hard to move the crosses out of the main notches. Weird, because on inspection, not particularly deep notches. With fb V, it takes a deep notch before the crosses fight me. Second weird thing ... from hour 1 to hour 6, the notches seem to only have gotten marginally worse. I have no idea what durability is going to be. With fb V, and can pretty much tell you it's breaking time by looking at the notches.

I still have plenty of control ... and my flattish fh dtl definitely picked up some pace over fb V @ 52. I'm not really launching them, so I take that as just good "new" fun.

I'm not positive I will keep paying for $22 origin for the difference between o/v and fb v ... but I might. It will be a better test when it gets a little warmer, and my hamstring is good enough to hit balls with a buddy.

 

[Dartagnan64]

The origin durability is still a mystery to me. It seemingly breaks at random between 15 and 40 hrs. The last string setup I had I ended up cutting out and restringing because control was gone at 40 hrs but it wasn’t breaking.

I suspect durability on hard courts will be quite good and that’s where the origin value comes in. If you get 15 hr avg from FB V and 22 hr avg from O/v it’s pretty cost equivalent.

I think for me it comes down to the frame. In my low powered Prince Phantom, origin/Velocity gives the right mix of power and spin. In my more powerful Blade 104, FB Velocity tames the beast nicely. But until I’m really convinced my arm is healed, the Phantom is my stick of choice and the comfort of origin is almost gut worthy.

 

[ByeByePoly]

@10 hrs 48ish lbs ... less than 8% DT loss ... nice. No bad notching still ... with 10 hours of ball machine. Still playing the same ... nice setup.

 

[Dartagnan64]

@10 hrs 48ish lbs ... less than 8% DT loss ... nice. No bad notching still ... with 10 hours of ball machine. Still playing the same ... nice setup.

Yeah it’s really a nice hardcourt setup. I wish the Velocity coating held up better on clay. I don’t know if there is a non-poly setup that’s ideal for clay. Seems to be a surface that’s generally hard on strings.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Sitting here on side of court after doing a side by side of old yonex rdis 200 with xcel and v1 pros with origin/v and hdx/v. LOL ... won’t be going back to yonex/xcel. This is why trying new racquets and strings isn’t a waste of time. Funny thing is the rdis was one of my favorite racquests ... WAS

 

[Dartagnan64]

So since our bubbles came down 2 weeks ago, our clay courts have been unavailable due to annual maintenance. Playing solely hard courts for the last two weeks.

The Origin/Velocity in my racket has held up fabulously. Wish it would hold up this well on clay. No string movement. No significant notching. Tension maintenance is awesome. For hard courts this is just a great set up.

Wish I could find something equally great for clay courts but maybe clay is just generally hard on strings. Clay dust just seems to wear any coatings down very quickly.

 

[James Goldstein]

I have been hitting with Origin in a Burn 100S. I love this string; however the durability is terrible. I had some bicep tendonitis, that's why I strung it up. I don't understand the point of hybriding it unless you're going to put a poly in the mains to help with durability. Someone that hits hard would probably break this in an hour and at $22 that's no bueno.

 

[ByeByePoly]

I have been hitting with Origin in a Burn 100S. I love this string; however the durability is terrible. I had some bicep tendonitis, that's why I strung it up. I don't understand the point of hybriding it unless you're going to put a poly in the mains to help with durability. Someone that hits hard would probably break this in an hour and at $22 that's no bueno.

fb origin -> little spin
origin/velocity -> good spin

The other reason is fb origin $22, origin/velocity $16.

Luckily fb velocity 16 lasts me 20 hours, and by the looks of it origin will be a more durable main then velocity (velocity is durable for a multi).

I am so thankful to be a little hitter.

String breakers have very limited non-poly choices for mains. Do a search for zx threads.

I would start with these two threads:

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?search/72544797/&q=zx&t=post&o=date&g=1&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=14&c[user][0]=410124

 

[PigPen]

First hour on origin 16/velocity 16 @55/52 ... ball machine ... 350-400 balls

- arm friendly ... my arm knows by now on first hit (usually). Very arm friendly, I don't expect forearm tightness like with fb hdx or hdx/v.

- feel ... actually very good. I knew already I really liked fb Origin, and Origin in the mains keeps the great feel. Instead of the full mute of Velocity you get a nice "thuddy" feedback. Not as "thuddy" as hdx/v ... between fb V and HDX/V.

- spin ... I found O/V got to about fb V spin level, which is saying something because fb Origin is very little spin for me. I would put fb V, O/V, HDX/V and fb HDX in the same 2/3ish poly spin ... maybe give HDX a little edge on spin.

- tension ... came of stringer Wednesday 52#, now after 1 hr on ball machine, 49#

- seems to more notching for 1 hour than typical for me ... will watch.

- power ... really surprised 55/52 tamed Origin. FB Origin @55 was a rocket launcher for me before. I would have to say 55/52 was about right. I'm playing with pretty much new Pro Penn Marathon balls in the ball machine, so pretty close to new ball match conditions. Perhaps I would bump a match racquet to 57/52 ... but really ... good to go at 55/52.

- straight strings ... I don't think so. They didn't move much, but they are fresh right off the stringer I can see they want to hang out of place.

For me, the followed kept straight strings:
- fb V @55 when they broke at 30 hours
- fb hdx @55 at 10 hours
- hdx/v 55/52 at 4 hours ... but no signs of movement at all

Strings have moved:
- fb V @52
- O/V 55/52 ??? we will see, but expect movement

My thinking with multis at this point is I need mid-tension on crosses to keep mains straighter. Perhaps a trade off with spin, don't know.

So my initial impression of O/V is really good. Nice sounding thud, feels really good on goundstrokes. Good touch on drop shots ... better than fb V @55 by a lot, better than fb V @52 ... but not a lot. I hit a few volleys ... felt good on full volleys, maybe not great on touch (dropper volleys). Will have to watch that as I go along. FB Origin was a good a string for my 1hbh slice as I have hit. O/V is very close ... great for the slice.

Using my arm (post TE and obviously still sensitive to poly) as a guide, fb V or O/V is very arm friendly, and HDX made arm sore/tight forearm. I would put HDX in the Cream category ... if you have had no previous arm trouble, not likely HDX or Cream would ever be an issue for you.

Will update after hits if anything changes.

Great review! Wondering how Origin / Cream might be?

 

[James Goldstein]

fb origin -> little spin
origin/velocity -> good spin

The other reason is fb origin $22, origin/velocity $16.

Luckily fb velocity 16 lasts me 20 hours, and by the looks of it origin will be a more durable main then velocity (velocity is durable for a multi).

I am so thankful to be a little hitter.

String breakers have very limited non-poly choices for mains. Do a search for zx threads.

I would start with these two threads:

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?search/72544797/&q=zx&t=post&o=date&g=1&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=14&c[user][0]=410124

Does Velocity have a stronger coating than Reflex?